The 49ers wide receiver, of course, sounded dissatisfied with the role he played in a 27-24 overtime win at New Orleans on Sunday. When asked about his game-saving 51-yard, fourth-down, fourth-quarter catch, Crabtree, oddly, offered this: “Third down. I’m a third-down receiver. I mean, I’m like the third option. So I come in and I do my job.” …

A day after he wasn’t charged following his arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence more than two months ago, 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald said Tuesday he and his fiancée remain together. …

Smith had been able to work out at the team facility during his nine-game suspension, but hasn’t practiced with the team since late August. In training camp, he declared he was in the best shape of his career. During his suspension, he told defensive coordinator Vic Fangio he the “most fit guy” on the team. …

NEW ORLEANS – There is a silver lining to the toe injury that sidelined All-Po inside linebacker Patrick Willis for his third straight game Sunday: It’s made it abundantly clear the 49ers got a third-round steal when they selected Chris Borland in May. …